GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Wyatt Langford and Derek Hill are the only non-roster outfielders remaining in the Texas Rangers' big league camp.
The 22-year-old Langford is the top prospect in the organization and has, for all practical purposes, nailed down a spot on the club's 26-man Opening Day roster.
Hill, on the other hand, is still fighting to claim a spot, and on Wednesday, he had his most impressive day of the spring yet.
Hill, 28, a 2014 first-round pick of the Detroit Tigers, has played sparingly in the majors the past four seasons, including 13 games with the Washington Nationals in 2023.
Hill is batting .324 with two doubles this spring. He was 2 for 4 in Wednesday's 8-1 win. It was his defense that really stood out, however.
In the second, Hill ran down Michael Trautwein's line drive in the gap in left-center to make a full-out diving catch.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy called it the play of the spring.
When Hill saw a replay, he couldn't help but react. "Oh, that's dirty," he yelled.
It was, indeed, dirty. Hill's catch came right after second baseman Marcus Semien made an impressive backhanded stop and throw to first.
"It was a good read," Hill said. "We've been working really, really hard on my reads and jumps this spring training, so I just have to credit that to the outfield [coaches], and I can't thank them enough."
Bochy tipped his cap to both plays behind starter Dane Dunning.
"That's as good a catch as we've seen this spring. Full-out dive," Bochy said. "He's quick out there, has a good first step, and he has no problem leaving his feet," Bochy said. "He's a good athlete. He's had a good spring."
It may have looked and felt good while Hill was in the air, but he might feel his landing Thursday morning.
"It was a little bit of a rough landing, but I'm happy to help my man out and save a potential run," Hill said. "I saw it kind of hold up in the air a little bit, so I was like, 'I got a beat on this one.' My corner [outfielders] were helping with the wall, so give them credit, too."
This is the most extensive major league spring training camp in Hill's career. He played in his 21st game on Wednesday.
"I'm just prideful and it's an absolute honor to be here," he said. "I mean, they won the World Series last year and I'm coming in just trying to fill a role and whatever they want me to do."
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